Patagonia Tours - Adventure Life Testimonials and Reviews

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MV Via Australis

Kathleen Jackson (Patagonia cruise aboard the Via Australis, Mar 2012)
The Via Australis was just the right sized ship for travelling to the end of the world. The ship's cabin was a nice size, clean and comfortable. The guides on the Via Australis were very informed and made the excursions quite interesting. The zodiac trips were just great...so glad it wasn't a ship we had to stay on all the time.

Stefan Grossman (Cruise on MV Mare Australis + Cruise on MV Via Australis, Nov 2010)
We rounded Cape Horn this morning in treacherous seas ....... I never thought I would ever be saying anything like this. But let me go back to the beginning of this part of our trip. We are on an ‘Expedition Cruise’ to Patagonia. The word cruise conjured up quite a different picture in my mind to where we find ourselves right now. Five days, four nights aboard the Australis, several stops and opportunities to get off and explore ........ Well literally explore in that sense. Kitted out in as many layers of clothes as we have with us, and lacking waterproof trousers (unfortunately), bad planning on our part. We sailed out of Punta Arenus about 8 pm accompanied by a wonderful sunset.. Cocktails and a nice diner, new friends at our table. Everyone very excited to be here and swapping stories for where they’ve been and where they are going on this vacation. There are a total of 14 nationalities on board, mostly spanish speaking. Throughout the day there are lectures ranging from the explores who first discovered and named the various islands of Patagonia to the geological aspects of the land to the formation of glaciers. We have been off the boat three times until now. The first time the weather wasn’t too bad, i think the temperature was around 4 degrees celeus and sunny. After the safety briefing and sorting out lifejackets - we were loaded into ... Read All

MV Stella Australis

Mary Peterson (Cruise on MV Stella Australis, Feb 2011)
Highly recommended to see this remote area of the world. We rarely saw any other boats. The boat was only about 1/2 full so that made meals and talks very comfortable, not sure how it would be with a full ship. We had great weather and were able to do all the excursions. The Stella Australis was built in 2010 and is very spacious with wonderful food and drink. The ship crew and service was great! Monica, Jen, and Sullivan all did a great job. Very attentive - I had a question about power plugs and it was answered right away.

El Calafate/Perito Moreno Glacier

Laurie Catron (Awesome Argentina + El Calafate/Perito Moreno Glacier + End of the World + Lakes Crossing + Chilean Lake District + Lake District Sea Kayaking + Pumalin Park by Sea Kayak, Feb 2011)
The tour overall exceeded my expectations, and they were pretty high to start with. Considering the complexity of this month long tour, and all the components, it was nearly flawless. The support staff throughout worked very hard on our behalf, and did everything possible to make the trip memorable. It was much more than I expected. I truly loved this trip, and I have traveled extensively, great job.

Ushuaia / Tierra del Fuego

Amy Lafko (Cruise on MV Orlova, Jan 2010)
My trip was outstanding. Our tour leader, Kirsten, was incredible. I can't thank my trip planner, Renee, enough for encouraging me to take the Orlova so I could participate in the kayaking. This is what made the trip even more special. I appreciated the speed in which Renee provided answers to my many questions. I felt I was well prepared for the Antarctic expedition because of her hard work. The kayak experience was out of this world, the crushing of the brash ice as we paddled ahead to icebergs. Because of the kayaks, we avoided the motorized zodiac noise and there was silence with icebergs and glaciers surrounding us. Whales came close to the kayaks to investigate us. Only 300 people kayak in Antarctica each year and I felt lucky to be among them. We had a record 9 kayak excursions and each one was unique and special. Getting up close to ice floes with leopard seals popping up to check us out, having fur seal pups follow us and play around the kayaks all made the adventure full of wonderful memories.

The Tierra del Fuego tour (day-trip from Ushuaia) was well organized. The lunch was a lovely surprise although the hike was a little mellow for my taste.

Peninsula Valdes

Apollinaria Pankiw (Argentina Glacier Adventure + Iguazu Falls + Peninsula Valdes, Feb 2010)
Overall I would rate this tour company 10/10. Our trip included three segments back to back ... and considering how challenged some parts of Argentina are for infrastructure I am thoroughly impressed with the flawless coordination of our trip, the superb quality of our guides, and the completeness of the attention we received by the guides during our travels. The trip could not have been better!!

Excellent work Adventure Life! Thanks!

Kitima Boonvisudhi (Argentina Glacier Adventure + Iguazu Falls + Peninsula Valdes, Feb 2010)
Another awesome and organized trip from Adventure Life! For pre-departure support, we received very, very helpful emails---especially with the itinerary updates and the Argentina reciprocity fee. Our local guides, Pedro Fina and Marcella were just lovely guides--truly interesting souls! And our accommodations were excellent. El Pilar at El Chalten was exquisitely charming. Iguazu Jungle Lodge was wonderful as well. Also, the camping accommodations were great too.

Lakes Crossing

Pure Patagonia - Torres del Paine Trek

Judith Harris (Atacama Desert + Pure Patagonia, Jan 2012)
It was a very good trip. Torre Del Paine is amazingly beautiful and worth all of the hassle it was to get there. All of the arrangements went very smoothly. Gabo, opur guide, was fun, knowledgeable and thoughtful. He did a good job of planning an alternative routs for 2 days when the fire kept us from going on the original route.

Rebecca Klein (Awesome Argentina + Pure Patagonia, Mar 2011)
Best Trip I have ever taken. The staff and guides and a good pairing of people in the group made the trip exciting and memorable and wonderful The Guides were a big part of making my trip the most amazing trip. their energy and enthusiasm was addictive and inspiring. I will definitely come back to Patagonia and will use Adventure Life for other trips around the world again.

Diane Lischio (Awesome Argentina + Pumalin Park by Sea Kayak + Pure Patagonia, Feb 2011)
We loved the experience in Chiloe. Cyril, our guide was great --- he truly loved the island and was incredibly knowledgeable. The high point was visiting his parents' home (fascinating people!!) and tasting his Dad's pisco sours(our first and by far, the best of the trip). We all enjoyed his choices of local restaurants--best seafood of the trip. The kayaking part of our trip was a "harder" adventure than we anticipated, even having done several kayaking trips in the past. However it turned out to be one, if not THE, favorite part of the trip and the source of the most stories. Andres, our guide from Miralejos, definitely MADE the trip. Great skills as a guide: knowledgeable, personable(wonderful story teller) & really adaptable. I can't say enough good things about him!

Valparaiso had a good choice of vineyards for the wine tastings---especially Emiliana. We've toured many wineries in the past but this one was truly unique & excellent wines!! We'll be looking for them in the US.

The W Circuit was a great experience. We enjoyed the Eco Camp & the others in our group. The food was excellent as was the food in the refugios (given the locations). I enjoyed all the hiking, even in the rain. It was a great way to see the park and would recommend it to others. Enjoyed El Galpon in El Calafate --it seemed a bit "touristy" at times(especially the show) ... Read All

Argentina Glacier Adventure

Ruth Bernstein (Argentina Glacier Adventure, Mar 2012)
The tour was incredible. Every detail was arranged and went very smoothly. Every detail was perfect. We particularly enjoyed the trek guide, David. He was knowledgable and a hoot to be with.

Thomas Monson (Argentina Glacier Adventure, Mar 2011)
Easy to work with for all planning needs. Good information and quick responses to my questions. Primary guide (David) was excellent. Hiking food was great

Michael Henry (Argentina Glacier Adventure, Mar 2011)
If there weren't so many other places to go and see, I would do this trip again in a second. I've recommended it to others already. People think my pictures are fake. I'll use Adventure-Life when I visit Peru and Ecuador for sure. I made some great friends, as well.

The people who took me from Calafate to El Chalten (Mario and Cecilia) were excellent. They were really great people. Everywhere we stayed was very nice without making me think I spent too much for it. Victor cooked for us in camp and he was great as well. We all became friends on the trip.

Susan Dubuisson (Argentina Glacier Adventure + Patagonia Panorama + Pure Patagonia, Jan 2011)
Gabrielle in Argentina and Roberto and Soazic in Chile were the greatest. We learned a lot from them.

we couldn't believe how fine the weather was the whole time. The logistics of the trip worked perfectly; the lodgings were just right. We were surprised at all the vegetarian options made available for us. We had a fabulous time.

Patagonia Wildlife Safari

Alison Charman (Awesome Argentina + Iguazu Falls + Patagonia Wildlife Safari, Feb 2011)
This was our second trip arranged through Adventure Life and I didn't think you could top the first. However, you DID and this one was just as special. You went beyond my expectations, which made it a very special trip.

Torres del Paine stands out among many good memories and if I ever have to camp again please let it be in a Dome Suite! My advice to anyone is to get to Patagonia before you're too old. We met some really great fellow travellers along the way and were so energised by our adventures. Thanks for everything!

Cameron Mattson (Patagonia Glacier Explorer + Patagonia Wildlife Safari, Feb 2011)
We were thrilled to experience Iguazu and Patagonia in this well planned trip. Mary and Sullivan were excellent to work with. Great customer service. The local guides added a nice cultural experience. Never met a mediocre person. All were excellent

Patagonia Panorama

Susan Dubuisson (Argentina Glacier Adventure + Patagonia Panorama + Pure Patagonia, Jan 2011)
Gabrielle in Argentina and Roberto and Soazic in Chile were the greatest. We learned a lot from them.

Gary Exelbert (Argentina Glacier Adventure + Patagonia Panorama + Pure Patagonia, Dec 2010)
I would highly recommend Adventure Life to anyone considering a journey to South America. I'm happy that I chose your travel company for planning and booking my adventure to Patagonia. Information was very detailed and fairly accurate. Laura Cahill did an excellent job helping me set up and organize my trip.

Loved the local guides, both at Glaciares and Torres del Paine. Transfer reps were also very friendly.

El Pilar was a nice surprise as I didn't know what I was in store for. That is, not staying in the town the first night and instead staying in that quaint/lovely inn. The Sierra Nevada in El Calafate was excellent. Service there was great. Loved the free wi-fi which came in handy as I had my iphone with me. And they let me keep my bag there for the day when I returned a week later. So friendly and accommodating. And then there's Eco-camp, which exceeded my expectations in so many ways.

End of the World

Susan Coffman (End of the World, Dec 2011)
We absolutely loved the day spent at Tierra del Fuego. The combination of hiking and paddling was great fun and the guides were so well informed about the history and ecosystems of that area. The cruise on the Via Australis was superb---fabulous scenery, the talks before all the excursions that enriched your appreciation of what you were about to see--the history and natural history of Cape Horn and Waulaia Bay, the formation of glaciers, the penguins on Madalena Island. This last excursion was an incredible experience--having a penguin walk up to you on this refuge(of course you must stop and wait for it to go where it wants) and listening to the their calls is not to be missed!

Our experience in Torres del Paine could not have been typical due to the forest fire that was raging there, but we are so delighted we got to hike to the base of the towers, and that it was clear enough to see them when we got there! And the excursion to Perito Moreno glacier was a thrill as you get to experience the glacier from so many different perspectives--waiting for calving from the catwalks. seeing the glacier from the boat that transfers you to the area where you walk on the glacier, and then the thrill of walking on it--that was extraordinary. And Patagonia was as amazing as you hear--we were so glad we can say we have been there.

Sue Bohlander (End of the World, Nov 2011)
We were a group of two. It was amazing to have such personal service. We were always met at each new location with someone to pick us up and deliver us to wherever we were going. We met with other groups along the way to trek, etc, Our trip was everything we imagined and more. We loved being on such an active vacation.

Joan Bartram (End of the World, Nov 2011)
The whole trip was for me amazing and I was completely satisfied although tired when I returned home. I was amazed --every single time we were supposed to be met or have tickets or be taken somewhere it happened. I still think it was magic each time a guide handed me a ticket to something--e.g. the boat ride at the Perito Merino glacier. I experienced exactly what I want to see from Cape Horn ( a life long fantasy) to the Condors at Torres del Paine that were new to me.

Awesome Argentina

Maria Carlson (Highlights of Uruguay + Awesome Argentina, Jan 2012)
So glad I went! I'd almost given up planning the trip until you all stepped in and were so helpful! What a total hoot! When you say "Adventure Life" you mean Adventure Life! Perhaps a little a lttle more clarification is in order on the terrain and on what "moderate" means for your hikes! I thought I was a gonner on that uphill climb in Tierra del Fuego! :-) Phew! Also, I now know I would have enjoyed being part of a larger tour group...it would give one a better chance of finding like-minded people to hang out with! :-) Fabulous guides and drivers...just lovely! Overall the trip was wonderful and I wish I was still there!

Dylan Cottrell (Awesome Argentina, Dec 2011)
The guides were all very friendly and really knew the landscape (names of mountains, plants, histories, folklore, etc.) The food was AMAZING!!!!!!!! And the location of the trek lunches could NOT be beat!

Carol Jo Tichenor (Awesome Argentina, Dec 2011)
Our tour was excellent at all points! We loved coming to the end of the hike and having a wonderful lunch (with wine) waiting for us. The staff clearly enjoyed serving the clients and it made it really fun. The food at the Estancia in El Calafate was such a nice surprise... very nice cuisine ... served while looking out onto a beautiful landscape. There was a great combination of hotels (Buenos Aires), inns (Ushuaia which gave you a feeling of local flavor) and the Estancia (where the food was exceptional.) The combination of the accomodations made the trip more interesting. The tour guides Augustine and Norbi in Ushuaia were outstanding. They knew the area well and were able to share history with expertise. They were enjoyable and really built a TEAM of the participants.

This is the second time I have traveled with your organization and this trip was again exceptional. Well orchestrated in all aspects. I had confidence that everything was well taken care of. No mistakes happened and our flights were what we wanted. I plan to travel with you all AGAIN and recommend you to more friends.

Peninsula Valdes Sea Kayaking

Fred Kuhnen (Peninsula Valdes Sea Kayaking + Buenos Aires, Feb 2012)
The experience was exciting yet comfortable and very informative. We had two distinct trips and two distinct guides. Gabriel and Sil met us in Trewel and we spent four outstanding days with them. Gabriel is a first-class guide. He knows (and loves) his local area and welcomed our myriad of questions about all things Argentinian, Patagonian and the place we traveled to, Peninsula Valdes. Gabriel and Sil work beautifully as a team to create a comfortable, friendly atmosphere and provide delicious meals and a thoughtful, positive experience. Their pace is perfect, and their organization superb. Five stars! Pablo, our guide in Buenos Aires, was knowledgeable and affable. He was, at times, a bit distracted with other elements of his business and his process seemed a bit routine - not as able or willing to connect with us as unique travelers. Still, his information was clear and he was willing to engage if asked.

Patagonia Glacier Explorer

Heidi Kinkartz (End of the World + Patagonia Glacier Explorer, Jan 2011)
The land and people of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego are special indeed. There are few places left in the world where one can experience the untouched beauty and remoteness of nature and the friendliness of the people who inhabit such places. Local tour leaders/guides clearly understood that travel is as much (if not more) about the feeling that you experience as the things that you see and do. The people (guides) with whom I was in contact greatly enhanced my experience by the positive feelings they left me with. It was with a heavy heart that I departed the region for the more cosmopolitan areas of Chile, but I am comforted by the fact that I hope one day to return to experience more of this unique world.

Chilean Lake District

Romelle Kemp (Atacama Desert + Chilean Lake District + Easter Island, Mar 2011)
Our trip planner Sullivan was fantastic! At the last minute, our Easter Island flight was postponed, she worked very hard to arrange a trip to Valparaiso to fill in for the extra time -- it worked out perfectly. Our trip was excellent!! This was our 5th Adventure Life trip -- we're running out of places to go with you!

Futaleufu Wild Whitewater

Derek Cutting (Futaleufu Wild Whitewater, Jan 2010)
Everyone on the Adventure Life team were awesome to work with. This was my first adventure trip and I really didn't know what to expect. Adventure Life is very organized and took care of any of my concerns as soon as they could. My room in Bariloche was top notch, extremely comfortable and welcoming. My accommodations at the Bio Bio base camp were beyond luxurious camping ... I had a blast! There should be a button for better than excellent because the team at Bio Bio was incredible. Great people, never any detail left out. If I was missing some things from my packing list (which I was) they had it covered, the food and drink never stopped coming, the amenities were always clean and stocked. Cookie, the chef and his crew, were magnificent; we had dishes that I still don't know how they prepared them out in the middle of the Andes mountains! Eduardo, our driver was always waiting for us to take us to our next adventure. I had a blast and met some amazing friends who I plan on keeping in touch with. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE weather you're a beginner like myself or a 15+ year adventure vet, like most of the other tourists who were with me ... This adventure and the friends I made will NEVER be forgotten! Once again, because I can't say it enough .... THANK YOU, and MAHALO!